The Walker Lake Working Group is gearing up for its September 23 Rehydration Celebration to rejoice in the lake’s high-water levels. The WLWG reports that this is the first time in six years that the waters from Walker River have reached Mineral County’s prized reservoir, thanks in part to the historic snowpack received from the 2022/23 winter season helping to raise the lake more than 15 feet.
“Thousands of shorebirds and ducks have reappeared near the delta along the north shore of the lake supporting the age-old adage, ‘just add water and they will come’,” WLWG Member Nancy Hadlock says.
Years of drought and water being diverted from Walker River to feed agricultural fields has negatively impacted Walker Lake’s capacity, causing major fish and bird habitat loss. However, with the lake’s water levels back to a reasonable amount, recreation, tourism, and wildlife are starting to return to Walker Lake. In early September, Mineral County hosted its first kayak races, The Bighorn Crossing hosted a ribbon-cutting, and people have a reason to visit the lake again.
The Walker Basin Conservancy reiterates that Walker Lake has been in a state of ecological collapse because of the upstream diversions of the Walker River, therefore this year’s flows are significant to the long-term goal of its restoration. If the level of salinity in the lake drops to the point where native Lahontan cutthroat trout could be reintroduced and healthy water system could be maintained for the many communities and Walker River Paiute Tribe that depend on it, then it would be considered a success.
The Walker Basin Conservancy is celebrating this momentous water year with a “Raise the Lake” pledge campaign, inviting community members to support the rise of the water levels and help spread the word about the optimism surrounding Walker Lake. Pledges are accepted through September 15 at Raise the Lake! – PledgeIt.org.
Then people are invited to celebrate in person with the Walker Lake Working Group on September 23 with most of the events taking place at Monument Beach in the town of Walker Lake. A Fireman’s Breakfast kicks off the event at 8am at the Walker Lake Fire House/community center, followed by free canoe tours for ages 5 and older from 9am-noon (weather dependent, personal kayaks are free to tag along).
An Opening Address is scheduled at 10 a.m. with Walker Lake supporters at Monument Beach, followed by a Rehydration Ceremony at 10:15 a.m. People are encouraged to bring bottles of water to pour into the lake. From 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be vendors at booths sharing information about the natural history of Walker Lake along with free beach activities such as rock painting, Gyotaku fish prints, and kite flying if it’s windy enough. Between noon-1:30 p.m., there will also be a raffle and tug-of-war contest.
There will also be food available to purchase onsite and at The Bighorn Crossing.
“Walker Lake is far from a lost cause. We invite you to join us in celebrating these positive developments in the thirty-year struggle to save Walker Lake at our Rehydration Celebration on September 23,” Hadlock says.
For further information, questions or to volunteer at the Rehydration Celebration, contact event coordinators Penny Tator at (408) 476-5152 or Nancy Hadlock at (760) 258-6574.
